"What is this you have done to us?" asked Abimelech. "One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us." Abimelech saidThe name "Abimelech" is a title used for Philistine kings, similar to "Pharaoh" in Egypt. Historically, the Philistines were a significant presence in the region, often interacting with the patriarchs. Abimelech's role here is as a ruler who is concerned with maintaining moral and social order in his kingdom. His confrontation with Isaac reflects a moment of accountability and the importance of truthfulness in leadership. What is this you have done to us?
This phrase indicates a sense of betrayal and confusion. In the Hebrew context, actions were seen as communal, affecting not just individuals but entire communities. Abimelech's question underscores the interconnectedness of actions and the potential consequences that can ripple through a society due to one person's deception. One of the people
This phrase highlights the vulnerability of the community to the actions of its leaders and members. In ancient Near Eastern societies, the actions of individuals, especially those in positions of power or influence, could have significant repercussions for the entire group. This reflects the biblical principle of collective responsibility and the need for integrity among God's people. could easily have slept with your wife
The phrase points to the potential for sin and the ease with which moral boundaries can be crossed. In the Hebrew culture, marriage was a sacred covenant, and any violation of this covenant was seen as a grave sin. This highlights the importance of protecting the sanctity of marriage and the need for vigilance against temptation. and you would have brought guilt upon us
The concept of "guilt" in Hebrew is often associated with the idea of bearing a burden or being liable for wrongdoing. Abimelech's concern is not just for the potential sin but for the spiritual and communal consequences that would follow. This reflects the biblical understanding that sin affects not only the individual but also the community and one's relationship with God. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch of Israel. In this chapter, he repeats a mistake similar to his father by claiming his wife is his sister. 2. RebekahIsaac's wife, who is involved in the deception. Her beauty prompts Isaac to fear for his life, leading to the lie. 3. AbimelechThe king of the Philistines in Gerar. He discovers Isaac's deception and confronts him, showing a sense of moral responsibility. 4. GerarA Philistine city where Isaac settles during a famine. It is the setting for the events of this chapter. 5. DeceptionThe event of Isaac lying about Rebekah being his sister, echoing Abraham's earlier deception with Sarah. Teaching Points The Repercussions of DeceptionDeception can lead to unintended consequences and harm to others. Isaac's lie could have led to sin and guilt for the Philistines. Fear and FaithIsaac's fear led him to deceive, showing a lack of trust in God's protection. Believers are called to trust God rather than resort to deceit. Moral Responsibility of LeadersAbimelech's response shows that even those outside the covenant community can act with integrity and moral responsibility. Generational PatternsIsaac's actions mirror those of Abraham, suggesting the importance of breaking negative patterns and trusting God fully. God's Sovereignty and ProtectionDespite Isaac's failure, God protected Rebekah and maintained His covenant promises, demonstrating His faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Isaac's deception in Genesis 26:10 reflect a lack of trust in God's promises, and how can we apply this lesson to our own lives? 2. In what ways do we see generational patterns of behavior in our own families, and how can we break negative cycles through faith and obedience? 3. How does Abimelech's reaction to Isaac's deception challenge our understanding of morality and integrity among those outside the faith community? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that fear does not lead us to compromise our integrity or faith? 5. How can we rely on God's sovereignty and protection in situations where we are tempted to deceive or manipulate circumstances for our benefit? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12 and 20These chapters recount similar events with Abraham, highlighting a recurring theme of fear and deception among the patriarchs. Exodus 20:14The commandment against adultery underscores the potential sin Abimelech feared. Proverbs 12:22This verse speaks to the Lord's disdain for lying lips, relevant to Isaac's deception. 1 Corinthians 10:13This verse reminds believers that God provides a way out of temptation, relevant to Isaac's situation. People Abimelech, Ahuzzath, Bashemath, Basmath, Beeri, Elon, Esau, Isaac, Judith, Phichol, RebekahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Esek, Gerar, Rehoboth, Shibah, Sitnah, Valley of GerarTopics Abimelech, Abim'elech, Connection, Easily, Guilt, Guiltiness, Hadst, Hast, Lain, Lien, Lightly, Ours, Shouldest, Sin, Slept, Trespass, Wife, Wouldest, WouldstDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 26:10 5533 sleep, physical Genesis 26:1-10 5737 sisters Genesis 26:1-11 8800 prejudice Genesis 26:1-14 5503 rich, the Library The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
'Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold, and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth. And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture"Thou Art Now the Blessed of the Lord. "
"Thou art now the blessed of the Lord."--Genesis 26:29. THESE words truly describe the position of many whom I address at this time. There are hundreds here upon whom my eye can rest, and to any one of whom I might point with this finger, or rather, to whom I might extend this hand, to give a hearty shake, and say, "Thou art now the blessed of the Lord." I need not say it in the same spirit, nor for the same reason, that the Philistines did. They had behaved basely towards Isaac, and now that he …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892 Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be …
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing Whether Every Lie is a Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that not every lie is a sin. For it is evident that the evangelists did not sin in the writing of the Gospel. Yet they seem to have told something false: since their accounts of the words of Christ and of others often differ from one another: wherefore seemingly one of them must have given an untrue account. Therefore not every lie is a sin. Objection 2: Further, no one is rewarded by God for sin. But the midwives of Egypt were rewarded by God for a lie, for it is stated that …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Elucidation.
The conduct of Father Abraham, although not approved of by Inspiration, but simply recorded (Gen. xxvi. 7), gave early Christians an opinion that the wicked may be justly foiled, by equivocation and deception, for the preservation of innocence or the life of the innocent. In such case the person deceived, they might argue, is not injured, but benefited (Gen. xxvi. 10), being saved from committing violence and murder. The Corinthian maiden was accustomed to be veiled (as Tertullian intimates), and …
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob, …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus And to Holy David Indeed it Might More Justly be Said...
22. And to holy David indeed it might more justly be said, that he ought not to have been angry; no, not with one however ungrateful and rendering evil for good; yet if, as man, anger did steal over him, he ought not to have let it so prevail, that he should swear to do a thing which either by giving way to his rage he should do, or by breaking his oath leave undone. But to the other, set as he was amid the libidinous frenzy of the Sodomites, who would dare to say, "Although thy guests in thine own …
St. Augustine—Against Lying Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 26:10 NIVGenesis 26:10 NLTGenesis 26:10 ESVGenesis 26:10 NASBGenesis 26:10 KJV
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